West Springfield ES tweeted this photo of their amazing office staff members who are being celebrated during Administrative Professionals Week. (Photo: West Springfield ES)
Calendar Changes Pending for the 2019-20 School Year
New Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. As a result, FCPS’ 2019-20 Standard School Year Calendar will be impacted. The amended 2019-20 Standard School Year Calendar will be posted on the FCPS public website following School Board action, which is expected at their regular meeting on Thursday, April 25. Please contact HR Connection at 571-423-3000 or hrconnection@fcps.edu with questions.
Nominations for team and individual Excellence Awards are now open! Excellence Awards celebrate teams or individuals who exceed expectations in supporting the initiatives of the FCPS strategic plan. Each winner will receive a $1,000 cash award and a certificate from Superintendent Brabrand, which will be presented at a ceremony in the fall.
This year, the entire nomination process is online. Nominators will enter information about the individual or team into an online portal, then complete a nomination packet. The packet must be submitted electronically, via the portal, by Friday, May 3, at 4:30 p.m. Please visit the Excellence Awards webpage for details on award eligibility and the new online nomination process.
Photo of the Week
There's no clever, cute, or catchy photo this week. We have something better–the image of a humble hero. A few weeks ago, an Annandale Terrace ES student started choking while eating lunch in the cafeteria. Physical Education Teacher Everangel Morales noticed the child was in distress and quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver, clearing the student’s windpipe. The student was safe and able to finish eating, after a check from the school nurse. Thank you, Everangel, for giving this story a happy ending. (Photo by Lisa Pilson, principal)
Deciding to improve your health means you are ready to make some changes. But, despite your determination, these changes can sometimes be difficult to make on your own. The HealthyGuidance Health Coaching program provides support and motivation while working with a certified health coach via telephone. Your personal coach will help you define realistic goals, form a plan of action, and identify strategies to help you overcome barriers to success.
Call a health coach today at 1-855-355-9097 to talk about weight loss, having a healthy pregnancy, quitting smoking, or other topics. Coaches are trained experts in behavior change and can help you achieve your health goals! Visit the intranet for more on the HealthyGuidance Health Coaching program.
Attention: Transportation, Food Service, Trades and Maintenance, Custodial, and Part-Time Teaching Staff
The electronic election of one trustee for the Fairfax County Employee Retirement System (FCERS) will be held on May 21-23. More than 6,000 FCPS employees receive their retirement benefit from Fairfax County Employee Retirement Systems (FCERS). This includes transportation, food service, trades and maintenance, custodial, and part-time teaching staff. All FCPS employees who are FCERS members are eligible to be nominated and to vote for the vacant position. Interested candidates: Please obtain a nomination petition on Human Resources' intranet page.
Candidates must also submit a candidate statement of no more than 75 words stating why they would best serve in this position. Petitions and statements must be returned to Gatehouse Administration Center, Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER), Suite 2517, by 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 14. Please contact Sherri Burris with questions at 571-423-3252.
Maggy Pye is truly a homegrown FCPS employee. Not only did she graduate from Fort Hunt HS*, Maggy also “wired up a few Fairfax County schools when they were under construction or renovation" during her electrical apprenticeship.
Maggy began her career with FCPS just one year ago as an industrial electrician working out of the Sideburn Support Center. Prior to joining FCPS, Maggy worked for the Fairfax County government for nine years.
As an electrician, Maggy fixes lights, switches, plugs, disconnects, and other electrical parts as needed. She says, “I drive a box truck that contains a Genie Lift, so I can get to almost all the work that needs to be done in an area with high ceilings, such as gymnasiums, cafeterias, libraries, and entrance ways. I also carry smaller ladders on my truck, so I can do the same things my peers do from a service van. Due to the size of the truck, I can carry more parts as well.”
What makes her job enjoyable? Maggy says, “I enjoy making it better than it was…if it’s dim, I make it brighter, if it doesn’t light at all, I make it light. Whenever possible, I try to go above and beyond, fixing things before you notice they needed fixing. It’s nice to be appreciated for what I do, and I constantly have staff in schools thanking me for fixing their school.”
One of Maggy's favorite quotes is from Tony Roberts: “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into visible.” And she sure is living up to it. In the past five years, Maggy has earned an associate degree (Magna Cum Laude), a Masters Electrical License, and Facility Management Professional certifications. She managed all of this while being the single parent of a teenage daughter. Maggy is also an award-winning Girl Scout leader. She “loves inspiring girls of all ages to aspire to their dreams.”
When time allows, Maggy enjoys "traveling, tinkering with some sort of electronic gizmo, and learning about new technology.” She's even started to ride four-wheelers! Maggy adds, “I tell light bulb jokes and other clean jokes you could tell to a 10-year-old.” Watch the marvelous Maggy Pye in action!
*Editor's Note: Fort Hunt HS was combined with Groveton HS to form West Potomac HS.
Take advantage of a free, convenient, confidential, and safe disposal of unused or expired medications during Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout on Saturday, April 27. Drop off medications at any of the eight Fairfax County District Police Stations (pills or liquids only, no pressurized canisters or needles) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Find out more about Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout.
Audit Team from China Visits FCPS' Office of Auditor General
On March 28, FCPS' Office of Auditor General welcomed 12 audit leaders from the Guangdong Audit Office (Southern China Region). The two audit teams discussed topics such as independence, how to use big data to better inform audit topics and objectives, and tips to conduct a successful performance audit. FCPS' Auditor General Esther Ko says, "We are fortunate to have this exchange event where best audit practices are discussed and common audit challenges are shared."
Celebrating Administrative Professionals
April 21-27 is Administrative Professionals Week. Wednesday, April 24 is Administrative Professionals Day. Be sure to celebrate the significant contributions of the numerous administrative professionals who help keep our schools and offices running smoothly. Administrative Professionals Week was started in 1952 by the National Secretaries Association, which is now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
Staff Staples
Note: Intranet access is required to open some of the links in this email. If you're using a mobile device or working remotely, you can connect to the intranet via the Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email RequestIT@fcps.edu with questions.
Employee News is sent to all FCPS employees every Tuesday. Please email EmployeeNews@fcps.edu with potential submissions or questions. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!
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